Electrical connector assembly with locking means

Abstract

A receptacle connector ( 1 ) for electrically connecting with a complementary plug connector ( 3 ) includes an insulative housing ( 10 ) and a number of terminals ( 20 ) retained in the insulative housing. The terminals each include a base portion ( 21 ) retained in the insulative housing, a connecting arm ( 210 ) extending from a bottom end of the base portion, a mating arm ( 22 ) extending upwardly from the connecting arm for connecting with the mating connector and a retaining arm ( 24 ) extending upwardly from an outer end of the base portion for engaging with an outer surface of the insulative housing. The base portion is formed with a projection ( 26 ) for engaging with the mating connector.

1. An electrical connector for electrically connecting with a mating connector, comprising:
 an insulative housing defining an outer, surface; and  
 a plurality of terminals being retained in the insulative housing, each terminal comprising a base portion received in the insulative housing, a retaining arm extending from the base portion and engaging with the outer surface of the insulative housing and a mating arm formed with a contacting tip for electrically connecting with the mating connector, the base portion comprising a projection adapted for locking with the mating connector; wherein  
 the base portion and the retaining arm hold a corresponding portion of the insulative portion under duress.  
 
     
     
       2. The electrical connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of the terminals comprises a connecting arm extending from the base portion, and a wherein the mating arm extends upwardly from the connecting arm. 
     
     
       3. The electrical connector as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the insulative housing comprises a tongue plate and a sidewall, the tongue plate defining a plurality of cavities for receiving corresponding mating arms and the sidewall defining a plurality of recesses for receiving corresponding base portions. 
     
     
       4. The electrical connector as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the terminals each comprise a pole extending upwardly from a top end of the base portion and the sidewall defines a plurality of retaining holes communicating with corresponding recesses for receiving corresponding poles. 
     
     
       5. The electrical connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base portion comprises a barb opposite to the projection and engaging with the insulative housing. 
     
     
       6. An electrical connector assembly for electrically connecting a first and a second PCBs, comprising:
 a receptacle connector adapted for being mounted on the first PCB, comprising:  
 an insulative housing defining an outer surface; and  
 a plurality of terminals being retained in the insulative housing and each comprising a base portion and a retaining arm extending from the base portion for engaging with the outer surface of the insulative housing, the base portion being formed with a barb for engaging with the insulative housing and a projection opposite to the barb; and  
 a plug connector adapted for being mounted on the second PCB and comprising a dielectric base and a plurality of contacts retained in the dielectric base, the dielectric base defining a plurality of locking holes on an outer surface thereof to engageably receive corresponding projections, respectively.  
 
     
     
       7. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein insulative housing comprises a sidewall and a tongues plate, the sidewall and the tongue plate defining a receiving slot therebetween for receiving the dielectric base. 
     
     
       8. The electrical connector assembly as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the terminals each comprise a connecting arm extending inwardly from the base portion and a mating arm extending upwardly from the connecting arm for connecting with a corresponding contact. 
     
     
       9. An electrical connector assembly comprising:
 mated first and second connector,  
 said first connector including a first insulative housing with a plurality of first contacts therein; a plurality of apertures formed in outer faces of the first insulative housing in lateral alignment with the corresponding first contacts, respectively;  
 said second connector including a second insulative housing with a plurality of second contacts disposed in corresponding recesses thereof and mated with the corresponding first contacts, respectively;  
 each of said second contacts including a relatively large base portion with a relatively slim connecting arm inwardly extending from an inner side thereof, a relatively slim mating arm extending from the connecting arm with a contacting section thereon, a space defined between the base portion and the mating arm and receiving the first insulative housing therein, a projection formed on said inner side and spatially above the connecting arm, a barb extending from an outer side of the base portion and interferentially engaged with an inner side of a wall of the second insulative housing, and a small pole upwardly extending from a top portion of the base portion and located in a retaining hole in the second insulative housing, said retaining hole being in communication with the corresponding recess; wherein  
 said projection is retainably received in the corresponding aperture when said first and second connectors are mated with each other.  
 
     
     
       10. The assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the second contact further includes an upright retaining arm extending from a bottom portion of the base portion and abutting against an outer side of the wall of the second insulative housing and cooperating with the barbs to retainably sandwich the wall therebetween.